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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Geoffrey Bennett

Man drove to a school, shouted abuse and dropped his trousers and pants

Bizarre goings on disrupted a public school near Bristol.

Staff at Downside School were startled when a man pulled up in a green Jaguar car, stole a wreath from the war memorial, dropped his trousers and pants and started an abusive rant.

It transpired David Bridgeman was suffering from mental health issues due to a bipolar disorder.

The 55-year-old, of Wells Square in Radstock, pleaded guilty to a public order offence in December last year.

Judge Martin Picton handed him a 12-months community order with up to ten days' rehabilitation. He reserved any breaches to himself.

He told Bridgeman: "It was alarming. You were not in a state to appreciate it at the time."

Bridgeman was told to pay a victim surcharge and £100 costs.

David Maunder, prosecuting, said pupils at the school in Stratton-on-the-Fosse were on Christmas holiday when staff saw Bridgeman drive into the grounds in his car, blaring loud music.

Mr Maunder said: "The defendant got out, went to the war memorial, picked up a wreath and put the wreath in the boot.

"This was unusual."

With that Bridgeman began to swear, the court heard.

"Get your knickers off"

Mr Maunder told the court: "He was quite aggressive.

"He pulled down his trousers and pants.

"Staff thought something was wrong with him, or he was drunk."

When a staff member arrived in a BMW car, Bridgeman enquired about the size of the man's manhood, the court heard.

Bridgeman was then heard to shout: "Get your knickers off."

He was confronted by staff before police turned up and arrested him.

He was not interviewed due to his erratic behaviour and demeanour.

Alistair Haggerty, defending, did not seek any alternative to a community order.

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